As the 19th century was coming to a close in Japan, traditional ukiyo-e woodblock prints of the Edo and Meiji periods faded in popularity, giving way to two new movements.

One group of artists began working to connect the Western idea of fine art with craft, creating sosaku hanga (creative prints), while another sought to revitalize ukiuyo-e through shin hanga (modern or new prints). Both groups made an effort to produce prints that would appeal to Western audiences, who were expressing interest in their work.

Visitors to the USC Pacific Asia Museum in Pasadena will have the opportunity to view and compare sosaku hanga and shin hanga displayed side by side in “A New Way Forward: Japanese Hanga of the 20th Century” today through April 19, 2015. Work by major artists from both movements, including Kawase Hasui, Hiroshi Yoshida, Ito Shinsui, Kiyoshi Saito and Munakata Shiko, will be shown in two six-month rotations.